5
By late morning, the villa had transformed into a tactical command center. Every surface was cluttered with maps, printouts, and notes. Elena and Adrian, exhausted but driven, were already on edge, checking their phones for updates every few minutes. Officer Balogun had deployed his team across the city, but there was no denying the vastness of the task. Emma could be anywhere.
Elena spread a large city map across the dining table, fingers tracing streets and alleys like a hawk scanning prey. "We've checked her favorite places already. The park, the bakery, the bookstore, the lane near the library…" Her voice faltered. "I really don't know where else to look."
Adrian crouched beside her, eyes narrowing. "Every street has a pattern. People move in predictable ways. Let's consider her routine, her habits. Where would she feel safe? Or… where would a kidnapper take her first?"
Elena exhaled sharply. "Anywhere but here. Anywhere but home."
